Some Thoughts About "The 60s"

This movie overall is about the social revolution the Western World, especially in the United States of America. Through the three white family brothers Katie, Bryan and Michael, we explore several important issues of the time: the active manifestation of feminism, the civil rights movement for racial equality and the controversy around the Vietnam War. Each character, even if representing mainly one of these issues, has some involvement with the others.
First of all, we have the Vietnam War controversy. Bryan decided to join the Marine Corps, which at that time meant enlistment for the Vietnam War. Like it is to be expected, the relatives experience a mixture of preoccupation and pride, to varying extents. Pride because of the military tradition, and fear due to the risks involved. Then there’s the anti-war opinion of others, starting with Michael. Michael is a college student that then gets enrolled in the University of Notre Dame, and throughout the story he participates in various protest events, including the racial equality and the protests against the Vietnam War.
Then there’s the situation with racism. The story starts with a party, in which Katie dances with some African American boys. To non-racist and non-classist people, this would not be a problem; but it was indeed for those who are racist and classist. This is first embodied by Sister Elizabeth, a nun of their community. This caused trouble to her, as her parents were leaning towards the social conservativeness of the time. Later on, this social situation is lived by Michael, as he joins protests of the racial equality movement. One of these protests had them in a town, in which they confronted a police officer. Michael did not get hit by the officer, but one of the leading African American protesters of that sit-in protest, Willie, did get hit. This protest was partly motivated by the event of the first party, as Willie’s son was kicked out of the place and beaten to the ground by that same officer.
Finally, there’s the sexual liberation and the feminist movement on its peak moment. Katie was raised in a relatively conservative family of the time, but she got involved with activities deemed ‘socially rebellious’. Things like the participation in the first party, especially when dancing with the black boys; and later on the college party in California (their previous home was in Chicago) she had sexual intercourse with the lead singer of a band that was playing that night. At this time, contraceptive drugs were becoming available, but she did not have access to them on time. As a result, she did get pregnant.